“Shovel Ready” Infrastructure Projects Needed
February 19th, 2009
The Govt should plan ahead and obtain advance design and environmental approvals for future infrastructure projects. The Association of Consulting Engineers NZ (ACENZ) President, Brent Meekan, says extensive further investment in infrastructure will be required and NZ should follow the example of a number of European Govts which ensure they have a supply of approved “shovel ready” projects. “A number of European countries have an ongoing programme ensuring fully designed and approved ‘shovel ready’ projects prepared for fast tracking at any time. Following this example in NZ would ensure we have sufficient design capacity to respond swiftly to economic and market demand.”
Lead time vital. Meekan says ACENZ member firms are able to react swiftly to commissions but it is vital sufficient time is allowed for the design process to ensure the provision of a modern, effective infrastructure system which provides the maximum benefits for the country. Substantial time lags can also occur between approval and commissioning of major projects due to the time required to gain design and environmental consents.
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